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The Weather is finally warming up and last weekend we had the peak bloom for the crab apple trees down Foxfire Blvd. I was able to get the greens treated Last Friday for Waitea Patch & Microdochium nivale, and Sclerotinia homoeocarpa. Thanks Paul Campbell for the product. The turf responded well and with the timely rain Friday of .22″ and Sunday evening of .30″ it helped the uptake of the Nutrients and suppressed the diseases. The bentgrass fairways will need to be treated next on Players Club. The crabapple blooms peaked Saturday for the Derby.

Treceia helped mow some of the Range this afternoon while I picked it.

Thanks for the photo from Palm Springs Leslie. Glad y’all got to get away. Sorry it was 106 but that’s the Springs for ya! I played that course awhile back it is really neat.

See y’all on the course or the range out I’m picking balls. Please do not hit me while I’m driving the utility cart picking the range. Thank you!

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.

We have more than normal Taraxacum on the property and I am 95% complete with the spraying, but I ran out of product to expedite the epinastical curation of this species.

I will spray greens next. Thank you Paul Camble for allowing me to pick up products for the greens to help me get started. I’m not sure how I would get what I needed with out your assistance. We have a little Spring disease on the greens and they are hungry. Tom did fertilize them in March but the Size Guide Number on the prill was too big for the Foxfire greens. That is why there are green dots on them and I switched him to the 100 SGN prill for Players Club. Even though we had the correct SGN for Players Club greens the fertilizer was not taken up by the plant, ergo we need liquid fertilizer for the C3 bundle sheath cells to aide in a rapid uptake and carbohydrate partitioning.

Back to, The herbicide for the dandelions is also working on many other perennial weeds. We have had a long winter and it is good to see some low humidity and sunshine. Jim as gotten more equipment ready this season than I have had the last four. Staff is slowly coming back. All the reels are sharp and the equipment is running the best it can given the age and the hours.

Brad has helped get the course ready since March and we would not be where we are with out his early arrival. We just had snow 12 days ago and the crabapple trees are a month behind blooming from 2017. It is going to take several days of sunlight and correct temperature for the Turfgrass to kick in.

I had some volunteers show up a few weeks ago one Friday to help. Paul C is on the Local board with me and brought his crew over one Friday afternoon to help start getting the bunkers ready. Supercool. Thank you sir. He has about 14 staff members for 18 holes.

The solenoid and actuator arm for the 300 gallon SDI sprayer came in and Jim will put those on as soon as I’m finished with the dandelions. We will need about 1/2 of a day to complete this process because the entire circuit has to come off the back to fix it. The center boom does not come off so I have to hurry up and get going once I start spraying. Wearable parts eventually wear.

Luis & Noah made it back to help and were able to get 9 Foxfire bunker cleaned out today. I will have after photos later but it looks great! Paula & Skippy have been raking bunkers as well. I got the roof fixed on the Players Club pump house last Friday. Mrs. Graves asked me to put a new tarp on it before it rained so Jim helped hold the ladder.

Hey y’all it’s wet on the course don’t be this guy!

Brad and I did charge up the Foxfire pump station about a month early so I could fill up the Sprayer in about 17 minutes opposed to 1 hour and 45 minutes with the well at the Shop. We do have a quick coupler seal leaking on 7 Foxfire to repair.

Watering the Frost off the greens Monday morning before the outing so we could mow greens and get the outing out on time. A trick I learned last century from Bill Kennedy. Great speaking with you today sir! Thanks Billy Bob for helping fix the tee sign, 150 yard marker and the drain on 10 Foxfire. You are the best handy man volunteer I got!

I have been picking the range for Vinny in my spare time and hopefully my certified range picker will be back next week. Here’s the tee Sign Billy Bob fixed.

Our 2-4-D arrival for the dandelions. Every vendor has a different way to deliver and when you have to go off the grid you get off the grid delivery service. No forks I had unload by hand so I got the Workman and backed under his tailgate and we pushed it in the Workman.

Jim got the Smithco ready today and we will utilize it tomorrow to get the Players club traps ready for the WGA event Thursday. Thank you to everyone for your help and welcome back Nancy W. Out of retirement to mow rough until my school bus driver neighbor Kevin shows up. Kevin your on deck bud! See you soon somewhere on the course!

My wife’s front yard. Only 12 Taraxacum in the lawn. Thank you Dillard for the Andersons! Just need a little mulch and some annuals from Haunty.

“To be, rather than to seem” I remember the Rev. Robert Lee Nicks telling the lady at Hardee’s in Beaufort, NC that when I was about six or eight years old. He won a free ice cream, and I got to share it with him. That’s right we shared it- he didn’t give it to me. He said, “You have to learn it to earn it.” A moment I’ll always remember. That is the state motto of North Carolina! It’s not easy but I have tried to “Be” even though I may appear to be “seeming” sometimes! 😂Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not here. 12 years ago this month he died shortly after I left from visiting my grandparents in Jacksonville, Florida. My grandmother still resides there at 96 years young.

We have been busy cutting trees down, working on equipment, taking classes, planning next years agronomic program, moving snow, and finalizing water reports for the ODNR. And Nancy and I even found a little time to visit Leslie and Andrew in the Portland Zone over Christmas and New Years! We got to see the coast and the mountains.

Super bowl Sunday February 4, 2018 we got about .4″ of rain/snow and the forecast has 3-6″ of snow in it the next few days. We will find out after I happens the weather man doesn’t know.

Portland is a beautiful city and we had a blessed trip with Leslie and Andrew and stayed in a wonderful Air B & B. That’s the new swanky trend now. To stay in someone else’s house. It’s partially rented with separate access. Hood River to Newport Beach and Mt. Hood in the background. We didn’t go snow skiing this time but maybe next time. New Port Beach Leslie, Nancy, and Laurelhurst Park below was how we walked to their house. <<<<<<
hristmas Eve at Kara's which is a tradition out there <<<<<<
ven snowed and iced in the Portland City which is a rare event given the Mediterranean Climate. They even have Palm trees in Portland.

Jim has been working diligently getting the equipment ready for Spring and has even cut down 69 dead Ash trees. You all will notice Players Club will have more room on 14,15,16.

We will continue removing the logs and debris when the ground is frozen. Unfortunately, it is not staying frozen. But we will get them removed one at a time!

Many repairs have been accomplished already such as: water pump on the EBay 4500 D, brakes on triplexes, Jacobsen 311, re-molded/ leveled the deck on the 311- Fixed the missing rotted frame on the 1993 Toro multi Pro sprayer with 7000 hours. Just a few of many items and we hope to start sharpening reels in the next two weeks. <<<<<<
ave already had a foot of snow or more this season and Tony came to help plow it a couple of weeks ago. We had drifts on the course up to 2 feet deep! And I utilized the snow blower at the house to clear the backyard chipping green with the Governors Club flag flying! Deer at Mom & Dads above! We have to help them remove snow too so they can get down their 1/4 mike driveway off the estate!Yes, I tried the skid steer loader before I called Tony but it was too Deep! It was so cold while we were gone I only saw one set of snowmobile tracks tracks on the course when Ingot back <<<<<<
finitely interesting to see all the trails from the deer, coyote, foxes, and rabbits. I got to see my Amish friend before Christmas up north off campus and his horses.

That’s Fred & Frank “Real Horse Power” Alan doesn’t like photos, an Amish tradition but we hook up occasionally to say hello and get some work done!

And I am Refurbishing Doc’s ballwasher that he donated to us. Thank you Doc! <<<<<<
usy time and Jim and I have plenty of work to do and thank you to all the volunteers for helping when you can. Billy Bob I'll have a small indoor project for you next week sir making entry and exit posts if interested. We still need to put the tire back on the skid steer loader. See y'all soon thank you for your help! I did get to take Dad to the men's prayer breakfast at church a couple of weeks ago. He's not driving by himself anymore but he does know where he is still and I thank God for that everyday! Gotta take care of pops! Nancy has been picking him up from Tuesday bible study and Virginia did go with him to see his mom last week in Jacksonville! He's not in the photo but we had a good crowd the 3rd Saturday of January. Rusty had an excellent lesson! Please continue to pray for Dad and also pray for our President! No matter who you voted for it's our obligation to pray for our leaders. <<<<<<

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

You know it’s been too long since my last update when peers across town are calling asking if I’m okay! “Yes sir” Mark all well just been busy great speaking with you sir. I’ll start there we have had many happenings since June or July and even a Holliday or 2 pass through, but it has been mostly dry and warm which is conducive for mycelium development. Our program of fungistats have been working on fairways, tees, and greens. I have taken “cide” out of my terminology for several reasons and here are two. 1. A fungicide does not actually kill a disease it only suppresses it for a given time frame during conducive conditions. 2. As an industry that constantly gets a negative connotation it makes no logical sense to re-iterate number 1 constantly for the subliminal subconscious or unconscious. We utilize Best Management Practices and that’s our adoptive mantra moving forward.

I got to meet another Ret. Air Force Colonel in early September, Bob Darden came over from Beavercreek to check out Players Club. I got to ride nine holes with him and yes we are cousins.

Robert Darden and Darden Robert Nicks above and Robert Darden and his friend below. I believe my entire family was either military, teachers, farmers, preachers, esquires, and then me. Someone had to fall off the turnip truck!

We have finally gotten some needed rain even through the Low is 71 this morning for an October day. It is groundhogish of sorts lately and before I knew it the second week of October was upon us! We have gotten over 2.5” since Friday with a little more on the way. Thanks Nate. Rain gauge at CH and 1 Players this morning. We will be open by noon with a Staff of 1.

Yes I wore red and my NC State hat. I took the fall and let her wear the OSU hat. I did not cheer against OSU. And they beat the turtles which is always great being an old ACC Foe! That’s probably the only ACC school none of us graduated from.

Matthew 18:19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

Mr. President as a mere Director I’d like to suggest a redo Summer Stress Event at Lake ToddHo~ especially after all is boys in Cbus went through “beat week”!

We are open today with 3 outings and regular play. Cart Path Only Players Club and Riding on Foxfire. Showcase PK Sammy on our slightly used new Eclipse.

Scuba D hookin’ Sump Pump back up so cash register can ring again! ​​

Look Mom​​ Tree No Tree! Picture loaded outta sync but tree gone.
My Boy Coach Former work mate! Now he just plays golf out here and takes the summers off! What a genius!

Thursday’s or Friday’s Staff meeting. I don’t know I can’t remember but we have them. Yes Virginia there is a staff meeting daily! Matty Ice with my $100 Tilley Hat. That’s an offshore fishin’ hat. He was late cause he forgot his hat. Jacob brought his hat and was sleeping already. Great job guys! #16 Players in the Deluge! She held her own! I don’t know what day that was Tuesday Wednesday. But it’s over and it will never rain again for 40 days and 40 nights. That’s in the second book of the Pentateuch. Right Sam? Sammy is my seminary student. He is going on be brighter and better serving the Lord!
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The courses are shaping up nicely we will be verticutting and venting the greens the next couple of weeks starting with Foxfire tomorrow.

Fathers Day week after at The Lakes with Pops!
Fathers Day breakfast.

Nursery green trial run. Mark may we borrow your topdresser?

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​​The process is patented but not in this order. ​

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Intermittent irrigation issues. Joel will be here tomorrow to help diagnose it! Thank you Big Ray, Mr. & Mrs. Graves, Paula & Tom for you help and especially Brad Luis Jimbo! And this is what it’s all about. 21 years July 20! Colonel all the boys in service thank you!

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Joshua 1:7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

Colonel Petrek and many more, this flags for you! May all of our family serving and friends serving be safe. Guys at Miramar, Pendleton, Langley, and places we can’t name because we don’t know but pray for their safe keeping. Thank you grandfathers who served in WWII, and made it home. Only recently did I read the Lettters from The Reverend Robert Lee Nicks to my grandmother, and never knew the danger or living conditions he was in. Briefly, he speaks about his journey and the shelling all around his ship in the Pacific specifically, and I can not imagine, but by the hand of God did he turn out the way he did. Nancy’s grandfather Thronihill received a Purple Heart and slept sitting up the rest of his life upon his return because that’s how he slept in the foxhole. Her grandfather Rogers was Ret. Lt. Colonel from the Army. My great Uncle Buddy Darden who passed away this week to be with the rest of the Darden’s who have gone to heaven also brought back a Purple Heart from WWII. My Grandfather Darden was in WWII. Just to be raised up by children who were just one generation away from “The Greatest Generation” and have known them and remember them is a complete honor. Anyone of them would have done anything in the world and did to help us.

18 Players Club.

We don’t put USA flags on every hole because people like to take them with out asking and do not bring them back. But if you are Golfing there is a flag holder for each green designated with an American Flag. The practice greens have the wall you may lean them against. Rising Sun!
The Digitaria sanguinalis preventer is applied and we will complete the practice tees the 29, of May or 30. We still have time here in the Midwest based on the temperatures and should get more longevity or efficacy out of the Dithiopry by applying 2 weeks later than last year. This product acts as an early post and pre-emergent control. All the greens were treated this week as well, on schedule, and I thank you all for the emails and complements. It has only been by strategic planning and execution of the plans that have permitted this to happen because we are still only working with one tee mower and one fairway mower for 60 acres of turf. God Bless Primo! Primo is growth regulator enhancer that I am well known to utilize without hesitation because of the synergism that it creates with nutrients and protectants. I believe I have sound visual evidence that it aides in the translocation of products through the plant. We won’t go in to How but it does. It has something to do with the way plants process carbohydrates through the bundle sheath cells and xylem and Phloem or something like that. Basically it makes the plant short, fat, and happy! Like many Americans! Sorry, we can say fat anymore it’s Husky! I surely do not want to offend the grass. It’s not magic. It’s science and chemistry. We will have two fairway mowers in operation by June 8. Brad has done an excellent job keeping up with them and many other issues. We built a bridge this week and thanks to the Trail Life leader Ramey, Brad, Noah, Brasket, Luis, and engineer Brooks llc for assembly and foundational penatrometer readings. I believe in allowing the best people for the job to do it and provide them the resources~ then get out of the way. ​

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This is temporary, and I think maybe the neighbors horses or coyotes got the other one late one night. Much work to do always! Just honored that I can still do it and have people to help. ​

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#6 Players Tee Box. A plaque for a veteran who used to play out there. Mr. Ramey is quite the historian and a welcome addition back after many years gone!

.5″ of Rain early Saturday morning.

These are hard to catch but I am always very fascinated at how ducks in a row operate and the mom leads the way and waits on the other ones until they are safe. It would be neat if people were like that. “Sometimes people can be like hearding cats.” Wilson R. Thanks Jim for getting the R-311T almost ready. We need to change some hydraulic hoses and it should be ready by Wednesday. Friday I found my warm up jacket Puma. From the 16 and under team. 27 or so years and it kinda still fits and in my mind I can still play! 🇺🇸😂 Noah plays for the Bible College down the street. And we got Sammy back this year. He texted me about 2 months ago from seminary school and Asked if he could come back and I said “Hurry!”Caught the Boys from Rickenbacker Airforce base flying to Wright Pat. AFB for lunch Friday. At least I hope that’s what they were doing. And that’s why I wouldn’t have made it in the military. Such a beautiful day Friday. Just like a Winter day in SRQ. Still getting accclimated to the weather. We will be treating for ants soon so don’t let them get you all ancy. It is going to be a great year for insects. I’m looking at various products now. Below is my great Uncle Buddy Darden and his wife. Below that is my grandfather James F. Darden in back right and his brother Buddy on back left with my great grandparents Dardens. Too many to list but our condolences are with my cousins. That may have been the photo from Boca when they all four drove down an about 11 hours for a 14 drive and stayed 3 days instead of a month and went back to Suffolk. We all went to Applebee’s and Nancy and I were the only ones who could hear between the six of us. I wont share all of the story but ole Uncle Buddy brought his pistol and set it on the table. No fear- it was normal and perfectly his right. Y’all just don’t see that too much anymore these days and this was 14 years ago. I said Buddy we are in a restaurant what are you doing? He said y’all invited us I’m hoping to have a beverage and something to eat your granddaddy wouldn’t stop. I said no the gun is that real? He said it was bothering his leg because my brother wouldn’t stop the car. He looked at me And said last time I shot it – it was real now let’s eat. What a memory. I felt safe~ not sure about the wait staff but I didnt see anyone try and take it or tell him he couldn’t have it.

Psalms 5:3O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
Thanks to all for helping out the last few weeks. We are continually progressing. Cover Photo is Mothers Day Sunrise from Myrtle Beach! Amazing! No, I’m not there but asked Paula to send me a photo because it has been about 16 years since I saw the sunrise there! The temperatures will be rising and I turned the water on players club today or yesterday by post ~for a test run last night. Luis is continuing to work in the bunkers preparing them for the outings this week. We will be applying plant nutrients and plant protectants to the fairways today. Brad will be mowing rough when Ramey gets the unit up and running again. As of 5 PM May 15 there were no major issues with the irrigation system on players club. We do need to add another pump in the pump house on players club we only have one pump and can only water so much at night. Below checking out the Lely Mr. G bought. It’s going to need some work. Video of Jim and Brad towing the 5200 D back to the shop.

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Saturday was a busy day cleaning mulch beds but we found time to add a little bit of color to Mrs. Graves’s house.

I did see a little mycelium Saturday morning but not much it was 43° and I did notice a lot of Cottonwood blooms had fallen in the fairways.

Cottonwood on the bottom and mycelium in the top one.

The boys of summer are starting to come back slowly but surely Joey LeBlanc is working on Saturdays and we now have Jacob Hastings back. Saturday morning came early after leaving the Baptist Church at 10:00 Friday night. 4:00 Am arrival.

Dr. One of the members told me I should write this statement and he has it in his office but I think it may say Health or Life vs Doctor instead of Golf Course & Superintendent.

Thanks Billy Bob for making the beautiful new Fairway post. Not sure how they are doing this season but there’s one in the dugout above. Thanks Matt for letting us utilize your “tractor” we were able to mow all the rough on both courses. Sunrise Moon Set Below. “Before the Noise” just me and Morlan the former MLB pitcher are there that early and can get some things done. Rainbow last week.

Don’t forget I got y’all Pink Flags for Tuesday “Ladies Day! And new cups and poles as well.

There is an entire Standard operating procedure for assembling ropes and stakes to herd the population. Notice no sagging rope or knots in it. If you can guess how I did it you will win a prize!
Frost 7 days ago.

Earlier years in my career. Day 1 north of. Charlotte. Today we have been married 7604 days by my grandfather Rev. Robert Lee Nicks. One of us still looks the same & its not me!

Nancy and I have been through 13 major hurricanes in a 1996 hurricane Fran came in island and devastated the Governors club in Chapel Hill North Carolina.

I believe over 13,000 trees were knocked over. The Governors club is set on a beautiful piece of property on Edwards mountain the highest point in Piedmont North Carolina to the east coast. On a clear Day you can see Raleigh North Carolina. Below is a snippet of Boca Raton which means the Mouth of the Rat in Spanish! We did many upgrades and renovations there. Practice bunker renovation.

Yes I’ve done this many times with the proper resources and staff. Below are the first two years of Sarasota and given time we were able to utilize best management practices following the “recession” and restore the greens ~postponing any huge capital expenses to the members. Those photos are a year apart the bottom photo is Fenruary 18, 2010. Then we got to fly over the office and really see how it was.

Matt Auen & Dave W. watching me catch all the fish. We Had to eat somehow. Two of the greatest men I have ever worked with. Love the SRQ. Hopefully will get back for a visit soon. Maybe for the Christmas Party. See y’all on the course.

1 Corinthians 15:10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Thank you all very much for your help. I greatly appreciate everyone’s compliments and suggestions. Those are what make a leader better! Brad and I stopped this morning to speak with Mr. Thomas and he said the fairways were the best he had ever seen them. Two more members stated this morning that the greens held better than they had before. Over four years the club is on a progressive program to become the premier club in central Ohio that is was at the turn of the century before the depression of 2008! Mr. Thomas is just Jt’s grandfather of a leading PGA player Justin. I haven’t met Justin yet but I did send him note last season regarding PT and hunting golf balls in the “creek”. No damage done Jimmy and Travis set him upright again and he went on his way. What a neat area to be virtually neighbors with a kid named Jason Day who lives between our house and my parents with several in between, but a quaint serene area.

You may research the title I will not give that answer away but if you choose to respond you will win a prize to be determined at a later date which will include but not limited to a special volunteer project. Office flyover in Sarasota before photo shoot with Carleton Holt for Tv add. New Sentinale Palms behind Seven East. Coquina around the Live Oaks, and Red Mulch around the club house for “pop” eye candy! If you ever really want to see how you are doing go up in the air and look down. It’s not for the faint at heart with eyes for detail you see everything. It’s tough. No air brush real deal. Many have never seen so I wanted to share.

I’ll add earlier years later.

We will continue adding new sand this summer when we get our dump trailer back from Westchester. Thanks Mark for the repair. Sunrise this morning! Before the noise!

Original Superintendent and Owner Ray came back to assist with bunker remodeling and restoration.

Great roundtable meeting with many highly respected presidents and agronomists in Central Ohio at Pinnacle Golf Club. Great post card El Presidente Mike! Stripes are right at Pinnacle! Thanks Brian Laurent Executive Director for setting this up! We discussed local labor pool, wages, poa annua issues, weather, and resources. Great visit with Scott at Darby Creek last week! What a beautiful property I think they are on the right track! He are the regional issues which we have completed treating. Still not giving up the answer! But you are getting lots of hints.

Nice shirt Luis! I was raised to give everything you have and God will provide more. Everybody has my shirts. Brad trying pin backslapping machine up against the cabinet so we can “hone” in the grind on our tee mower. One tee mower for 36 holes. And he needs to hurry up because we have one fairway mower and need to cut all the fairways. Great job Brad. Thanks Matt Fellows for bringing the rough mower last week it was huge! Great machine!

Volunteer J.R. Picking up empty wire spool from ditch diggers. Brad on new fairway mower we should have it repaired today and back in service tomorrow.

And on a Saturday I won’t share my score but anytime I get to outdrive Jimmy and Doc. On Cash Alley at my home club per pops it’s going to get a photo. Kyle it’s looking great at Rattlesnake brother. Max should be proud. See the two dots in the background! That’s their drive. I didn’t win the war but celebrated the battle.

There is the ditch digger crew. Go to you tube if want to see video. ​

​Quick video of this morning! Fourth repair of the day. But we move forward.

Irrigation repair. Below ​

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Alex Hall from Columbia SC- call me tomorrow set up a time to discuss what you wanted to talk about with sensors. God Bless you all. I’ve been blessed to go all over . Great speaking with Fred in Houston last week, Zach in SRQ, Jeremy in Austin, boys in Chi town. Dave in Scottsdale. Thank you all and Steve W. in West Palm.

John 13 12:1612 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

We have been busy getting the course ready for season and have five staff members for 36 holes right now. Labor in this region is most challenging but we will continue to place our faith that the right team members will come along. We saw several experienced operators retire last fall and I am diligently searching for the next team members. I have early commitments from some of the college guys that were here last year and they did a good job. Paula has been mowing rough with our only rough mower for 36 holes and Brad has been mowing fairways with our only fairway mower. We did get the John Deere 8700 today from Alabama on an auction and it will help tremendously keep up! I do not have my statistical data in front of me right now but review it daily and we have had close to 10″ of rain since January 1, 2017. And with the warmest summer on record for Central Ohio in 2016 we have also experienced a warm wet Winter with minimal days below freezing and the ground never froze solid this Winter. February 12 the trees began to bud!February 17, 2017 we mowed greens for the first time a month early! We had a few solid weeks of play in February this was taken early on February 17. Then the rains came back at the end of February through March.

Saturday February 18, 2017 #14 Players The Creek stayed full most of the Winter except for the second half of February. March 1 our greens mower had some issues and the weather was rainy at best with beautiful sunrises.

With the fall fertility and warmer Winter we are blessed to have an abundance of grass and unfortunately we have many dandelions to eradicate. February 20 dandelions were blooming and we had not received our proucts yet to commence eliminating them. We will begin treating them tomorrow and then apply nutrients on the putting greens. 12/13 Players February 20, 2017. The crabgrass control will be applied after the soil reaches 52°F and even up to early tiller stage which should occur in about 3 weeks. The product we are using is a pre-emergent and an early post emergent. It is the most ergonomically sound product for control in this region given the resources available and eliminating a second application in August. The efficacy of pre-emergence is traditionally 90 days, however that may vary with environmental conditions such as extreme heat and rain! It also will have to be reapplied wherever divots or holes are made! Soil temp April 6 was 47.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

We will also begin working in the sand bunkers preparing them and later this Spring we will continue our remodeling project. All the bunkers that were reminded last season have no weeds to very minimal compared to previous seasons. We move the water off the paths as quickly as possible utilizing the resources we have. The Foxfire pipeline commenced last week and I hope they finish in the next week. The rain has slowed this project and last Friday we had snow and a friend sent me a photo from Cleveland last Friday. Mr. Joel Braun the irrigation specialist had a bunch. Cleveland snow one week ago and Snow in Westerville below that photo. Saturday morning after the Friday snow at Foxfire.

Paying Tribute the The Judge! And a week later things are shaping up for a great Easter! Sunrise April 12, 2017 we tried to pressure up the Foxfire system today and had to retract after 40 minutes due to a main line blow out on 10 Foxfire fairway. We only needed it to have more water volume at the wash pad. We have a well but the volume is not quite enough to clean items to my expectations. The pipe on Foxfire is anywhere from 24 to 40 years old and this is not uncommon. We will repair it next week and try again. 5 Players below is an example of one of many positive progressions due to the amount of turf! And the day ended on a bright positive note! Paul thank you for getting the fairway unit. I know the dealer where it came from before the city in Mobile used it. Small world. See you all on the course it is a pleasure to serve!